THE man who created Marks & Spencer's Lifestore concept has left the troubled high street retailer after just over a year with the group.

Vittorio Radice left his job as director of home, clothing and store development by mutual consent.

The flamboyant former boss of Selfridges, whose first Lifestore was opened in Gateshead, in February, will leave the company on Friday.

The move, part of a shake-up of M&S management by new chief executive Stuart Rose, comes only three months after Mr Radice had the clothing responsibility added to his role of executive director for homeware and store development.

He will be replaced by the group's executive director of food, Maurice Helfgott, who will become executive director of menswear, childrenswear and home.

An M&S spokeswoman said it was too early to say what Mr Radice, who was on a one-year contract, would receive in compensation.

Mr Rose said: "Vittorio is a hugely talented retailer and we would like to thank him for his valuable contribution to the company during his time here. We wish him well."

Mr Radice said: "I enjoyed my year at M&S enormously and we achieved a lot.

"This is a very exciting time for the icon brand on the high street. I wish the new team at M&S well for the future."

The departure of Mr Radice comes amid a tumultuous time for M&S, which is being stalked by retail entrepreneur Philip Green.

In the North-East, attention will focus on the future of the Gateshead Lifestore, which has been dogged by rumours that it is underperforming and outmoded.

Anthony Platts, retail expert at Wise Speke, said: "The original internal appointment of luxury brands and furniture man Vittorio Radice as head of clothing was made by the former chief executive Roger Holmes.

"The instant dismissal of Vittorio Radice by Stuart Rose was viewed with joy by the City and further strengthens the hand of Marks & Spencer in fending off the overtures of Philip Green.

"Vittorio knew nothing about own-branded clothing and had badly under-delivered in the Lifestore furniture launch. He had no place in the rejuvenated M&S. This should now herald the end of the Lifestore concept - good riddance.

"People do not shop in lifestyles, they shop smart or casual and even those two basic categories are partly merging. Lifestyle concepts are about as trendy as Laura Ashley."

An M&S spokeswoman said: "The site and plans (for the Gateshead Lifestore) had been created before Vittorio joined but he created the internal design and vision. He had a fundamental impact on it and had the vision for it.

"There are no planned changes to M&S Lifestore. Obviously, with a new chief executive, everything is under review."

She said reports of a poor start at the store were speculation and said that trading figures would only be known when an update was released on July 14.